MADE ALIVE FOR PURPOSE

MADE ALIVE FOR PURPOSE

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. —Ephesians 2:1-10

This is a marvelous passage as to what God has done for us! Those of us who have truly trusted Jesus were once “dead in…transgressions and sins.” We used to follow “the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air.” Yes, Satan once had us “ensnared, holding us captive to do his will” (II Timothy 2:26). We lived for gratifying of the flesh and sinning did not bother us. We were by nature deserving of God’s judgment and this is the terrible fate of all those who have not trusted Jesus!

But the good news is that God has “great love for us” and “is rich in mercy.” He does not give us the judgment we deserve, but “made us alive in Christ” and saved us by His grace— “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” He did this “in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Now “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The question is: What are the works God prepared beforehand for you and me that we should be doing them? Here’s where reality sets in. If I am truly a follower of Jesus then I will be active in the “work” He has prepared for me out of love for God and people (Matthew 22:37-40). Am I? Are you?

These two “works” are true for every follower of Jesus. These are not the only ones, but He has commanded us to be “witnesses” (Acts 1:8) and He commanded us to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19-20). I am to be sharing the gospel and the praises of God and disciple those who call on the Name of the Lord (Romans 10:13). So are you and I being obedient in these areas? Our Lord will work these our differently in our lives, but are we being faithful to His desires? May we be so!

Dear Father, please help me to be faithful in Your desires for my life. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcnfT4arZtI